Data sketchy on prolonged antibiotics for bronchiectasis

Evans et al attempted a meta-analysis of 9 randomized trials (7 in adults) testing prolonged (4 to 52 weeks) antibiotics in people with bronchiectasis. There was an improvement in "clinical response rate," a poorly-defined endpoint, in 2 trials, but no difference in exacerbation rates or lung function. Emergence of resistant bacteria was not tested or reported. Cochrane Database Sys Rev 2011;2:CD001392.